American Red Cross chapter in Salem County and Gloucester County merging into one unit

The Salem County Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Gloucester County chapter are merging into one organization.

By Gina Bittnergbittner@sjnewsco.com

WASHINGTON TWP. — The American Red Cross is consolidating its Salem County and Gloucester County branches, officials announced Monday.

The Red Cross said it will close its Salem County chapter headquarters and join with Gloucester County to create the “American Red Cross South Jersey Chapter serving Gloucester and Salem Counties.”

The new branch— keeping its Wolfson Chapter name in memory of the late Antoinette R. Wolfson— will “make the best use of donor dollars as we work to serve the public better,” according to Gloucester County Executive Director Laura Steinmetz.

The combined office will be located at 3 Parke Place Boulevard here. The Salem County office has been located at 256 Johnson Street in Carneys Point.

The change takes effect on Aug. 15.

Joyce Skradzinski, current executive director of the Salem County chapter, will become executive director of the combined chapters.

Approaching its 94th year in operation, the Salem County Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to 15 disasters that impacted 16 families and 48 family members according to Skradzinski.

Additionally, they trained nearly 3,272 residents in health and safety courses and collected approximately 3,368 units of blood.

“When one door closes another one opens,” said Skradzinski of leaving her office and coming Gloucester County. “We will still be there as one Red Cross.”

Also opened in 1917, the Gloucester County branch itself has responded to 61 disasters that impacted 118 families and 207 family members. They also trained nearly 8,000 residents in health and safety courses and collected approximately 9,000 units of blood.

Officials say they hope the consolidation will have a great impact.“Streamlining our support services and back office systems will give us more time to focus our energies on delivering on our mission to prepare communities for emergencies and disasters,” said Steinmetz.

“The changes to our business will help preserve the future of the Red Cross in this community and nationwide.”

All current employees, staff and volunteers will consolidate into Gloucester County’s chapter’s headquarters.

“As we move forward as one chapter, we welcome the Salem County staff, board of directors and chapter volunteers and look forward to serving both counties,” said Steinmetz.

According to Steinmetz, this change is only one of several changes happening at American Red Cross on the local, regional, state, and national levels to “reduce costs and streamline operations.”

These changes include Steinmetz becoming the director of community relations/government affairs for the Jersey Coast region which covers Gloucester, Salem, Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Ocean and Monmouth counties, becoming the primary spokesperson for the region.

“My goals as the South Jersey Chapter’s executive director are to pull resources from both counties and build a team of volunteers working together as one,” Skradzinski said.

She said the Red Cross’s longtime commitment to the community will continue including: Disaster response, health and safety courses, emergency communications for members of the military and blood drives.

“Learning how we can become a stronger partner in both communities as one Red Cross no matter where we are, what time of day or night,” Skradzinski said.